General News (Gossip)

Under clause 8.3 (b) of the Constitution of the Wireless Institute of Australia a call was made on Tuesday November 29 for a General Meeting of WIA members.

A letter received had four motions, calling for four Directors of the WIA to be “removed immediately as a director of the WIA.”
The four directors are:
– Phil Wait
– Fred Swainston
– Roger Harrison
– Robert Broomhead

The letter called for a General Meeting on the 9th of December. This date would be not possible; however, it does not make the call invalid.

The call document itself was short of the required 100 signatures, and about a quarter were incomplete. However, identical signed letters were found, including one received on Wednesday November 30, meaning that under clause 8.3 (b) of the Constitution, the call for a General Meeting became valid.

The WIA Board of Directors has begun the process of arranging for a General Meeting.
An estimated cost of at least $10,000 would be incurred by printing the notices, mail house enveloping, distributing them by Australia Post to all members, the venue charge and any other expenses.

WIA members can expect notification details by Australia Post, and anticipate the General Meeting is to be held in late January 2017.

– Jim Linton, WIA Secretary

Date 1/12/2016″ IKW Drama still goes on”Seems the WIA is still working with ACMA on the I kilowatt saga. See below ,

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) is keeping alive its advocacy that Advanced Licensees be allowed to use up to 1kW power. The WIA Spectrum Strategy Committee has put to the ACMA the issue of high power beyond the present limit of 400 watts peak, in its “log of claims” after the now-infamous high power trial in 2013.

Many radio amateurs ask why is it that we just can’t have it, like in so many other countries – New Zealand, America, Canada, Japan and so on? Spectrum Strategy Committee spokesman Roger Harrison VK2ZRH says the central issue comes down to that of compliance with electromagnetic radiation standards in Australia. The ACMA uses the term “electromagnetic emissions” – abbreviated EME – but the acronym EMR (for electromagnetic radiation) is also widely used for the same thing. Australia is unique in the world when it comes to radiocommunications regulation, embodied in licence conditions, and compliance with electromagnetic radiation standards. Here, the two things are linked – but nowhere else in the world.

In Australia, our radiocommunications regulator – the ACMA – has the responsibility to ensure compliance, and every licensee (not just radio amateurs) is required to comply. The ACMA has a responsibility to the public, to ensure that electromagnetic emissions from all radio transmitting systems do not present a harmful situation. In fulfilling that responsibility, the ACMA needs to know where possibly harmful transmitter systems are located and that such locations are recorded on a licence. With that understanding, the Spectrum Strategy Committee is working with the ACMA to develop suitable procedures under which radio amateurs interested in running high power can make an application that meets the ACMA’s technical and regulatory requirements.

Date 19/09/216″Beacon Feast” BVHF Group has pieasure to announce. “So, for the first time ever, there are signals on all of the licensed output frequencies for VK4RBB”.

Date 22/08/2016″Winter FD” Below is a list of the results of the 38 call signs used in the winter field day 2016, hope this is a help.

Dateline 14/08/2016″Results are in”Re 2016 Winter Field Day Results are finally in.

Its on again, the Microwave show and tell at the SCARC club at Seaford Meadows. The Seaford Meadows Scout facility on Railway Road is the venue, on Thursday 15th September, from 7.30pm. Looking forward to seeing some of the new gear, and developments from last year. SA is the place to drop in for some of those hard to find microwave goodies.

Date 28/07/2016: “Its a bright Trophy” Uwave 2016 achievement award”, A Presentation to Doug Friend (VK4OE) for the 2016 Microwavers Achievement Award created by Alan Devlin (VK3XPD). Accepted in absentia by Geoff (VK4KJJ) at Gippstech 2016. It also appears that Doug has or is still holding all the awards for high band operation, except 5.7 Ghz, we think this will be fixed in the very near future.

The WIA, though its email server, allows you to establish “yourcallsign@wia.org.au” with all emails sent to this address automatically forwarded to either your home or work email account.. See more here: http://www.wia.org.au/members/email/about/

Date 7/07/2016 “Inland Troppo “ Upon inspection of coming Hepburn charts, there is another chance of tropo paths extending to areas of VK4 from VK5/3/2, possibly beginning the coming Thursday morning, so far. This has followed a good week of VK4 from VK5/3/2.

Date 3/07/2016 “23 on 23 will go to 24Ghz” Great to see more micro wave bands making an entrance. Saturday 23rd July 2016. See you there.

Date 28/06/2016 “Get Booking”REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON !
Registration for GippsTech will be closing at midnight Friday 1st July (local time) no exceptions , If you haven’t registered yet please do so asap . Raffle tickets will be sold at Dinner Friday and over the weekend and drawn Sunday morning after morning tea.

Date 18/06/2016 “23 0n 23 “ Is this the fastest growing side of our hobby? See u there.

Date 30/04/2016″Icom up in the sherwood” Of course its not the forrest. No its official Icom has finally made the sherwood Engineering top 20. Interesting to note the Elecraft K series of radios are still in the top 10, with the Flex 6700 taking top billing. Something that is shown in the graph, is the larger manufacturers have lifted their game. So if you can afford the cost of their new range, you will get something the rates. See here: http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

9/09/2015″Must read changes” WIA and ACMA have change the licensing arrangements. The SPECTRA system means a number of changes to the WIA Exams Service that will affect both the assessors and candidates. Read more…..

4/09/2015 “Web Site Whoo’s”Yes the SCARC Sunfeast is on Pencil in the 12th of this month. A Club official said, “We are having some problems with our web site”.” It is being advertising in AR Mag, (Aug & Sept issue) and on WIA news Broadcast for the past 3 months and on the club news & call backs every Sunday for the past 8 weeks. The event ” Wombye Sunfest ” is still on for September 12th 2015 at the Woombye hall. Doors open at 9am (7am for sellers) Entry is still $5.00 and that includes a ticket in the lucky door prize.

For any extra detail you can contact Warwick VK4NW at secretary @vk4wis.org

30/08/2015 “An Ad” We are one (A Radio Club) give us a go.

27/08/2015″Spectrum Review”It’s official.

The Australian Government will implement all the recommendations of the Spectrum Review conducted over 2014-15 by the Department of Communications together with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Announced on 25 August, a tight program of changes to legislation and regulations will be carried out over the next two years, commencing in October and running through to mid-2017, when the new regime is intended to start.

A single licensing system is the principal feature of what the Government is calling the “new spectrum framework”. The current apparatus, class and spectrum licensing regimes will disappear, to be replaced with licences that set out the conditions of use for spectrum access detailed in a set of key parameters.

Given the feedback from the last 23-on-23 Plus, I think it was agreed that we separate the 23cm from the ‘Plus’ operating so that the 23cm only and ‘home’ stations are able to maximise the opportunity to work as many of the /P stations before we QSY and chase Qs up the bands.

As such, the earlier suggested schedule seems to be the best option:
23cm SSB/CW
10:00am (00:00z) – 11:00am (01:00z)

The August 23-on-23 will fall on a Sunday. That means it’s time we start planning a 23-on-23+Plus! :crazy:

It means that if we hold true to the original intentions for the 23-on-23, being a weekend those who are keen to further explore a new paths potential can make the effort and head for the hills and work others (and the home stations too). It also means that we can also take the time to activate a other uWave bands on the day too. :om3: :om2:

After the last 23-on-23+Plus I received some negative feedback due to the ‘band swapping’ etc. So before we embark on this one we’ll seek opinions on how we optimise the time and maximise the effort and fun. This will probably require us to consider a more structured approach to the day with band slots etc used to to coordinate activation and also ensure that on each band we achieve maximum activation!

If we can aim for a start time of (say) 10AM, we should be able to structure activity on 23cm through to 3cm and beyond and wrap up by mid afternoon to pack-up and start the drive home.

With ‘just’ seven (7) weeks to go, start considering your plans, booking in radio time with family and planning potential portable sites.

Alan was one of the very early VHF pioneers of South-East Queensland and was a keen experimenter in many things, including amateur radio. He may well have been a founding member of the Brisbane VHF Group.

Although his health had of recent years precluded him from active amateur radio, he was always interested in being involved and keeping up to date on what had been happening. He will be missed by all who knew him!

We have been able to trace Alan in the VHF Group back as far as 1967 all the records I have suggest he was an earlier member.
VK4AMG(ZMG), remembers,
Alan was an active member of the VHF Group from founding thru my period as president and early 80’s I guess.
Active in Glorious Repeater committee. Was responsible for nominating me for Life Member.
Active on 6 and 2m.
Always a gentleman’s gentleman.
Dave Laurie VK4DT(ZTL) was also president in those early years. He remembers Alan being very active on 6 metres12/08/2015 “Results are in”Winter Field Day results have been posted for those interested in their positions. A post on one of the amateur conversation sites has suggested, they would like to see one form of scoring be adopted. Also thanks to Col VK4MIL and Rob VK4ZDB for again activating the club call sign.VK4IF

Quote from the Contest managers “By all reports, the numbers of stations braving the elements at portable locations this winter were down on previous winters.”

Dateline 10/08/2015″1.2 & 2.4 GHz” seem to be alive and well in VK4, so well that over the pond groups of ZL’s are talking; building beacons, beams and interest to take part. Great to see, VK Logger seems to stimulate the hobby in the interested and enquiring minds, great too see. Hers a quote:

Hi Guys,
Just to let you know that there are currently a number of 23cm stations on the air down in ZL3-4.
Zl4IV 200+w and good ant at about 300′ ASL
ZL4OL getting 150w amp on the air and has 45 element loop
ZL3NW, Ive got an amp for him something around 150W also a loop beam way up high.
And myself
ZL3RC currently building up 4 x 55 element loop beams and have 4 x XRF286 amps going just need to box them up. Mainly looking at EME long term but would love to work 23cm across the pond.

All we need over this side of the island is a good big E’s cloud over the Tasman and we maybe in business, any sort of ducting propagation isn’t going to work with the Southern Alps in the way 😥

Looking forward to a better session than the one just passed if Im not wrong we only had one very short opening where Geoff ZL3PX worked a VK2 on 2m.

Still haven’t heard your 23cm beacon over there, but listen a lot, one day. (As we the Brisbane VHF Group have just upgraded the 23cm beacon just recently this maybe a dream come true for them).

Cheers

Roger ZL3RC

20/07/2015 “Theres a meeting on Wednesday” This wednesday is the fourth wed of the month. See You There.

12/07/2015 “ACMA misses the point” It appears that the LCD is in and dusted advanced calls have been the winners and Foundation and Standard call staying as what appears as, no changes. They have missed the chance to elevated a few restrictions and get more use of some of the less used bands. see here: https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01113

6/07/2015″ 23 0n 23 “.

Based on the positive feedback from the last 23-on-23, lets run the same approach for the next one…. July 23, 2015! :thumbup:

27/06/2015″Records GO” The ARRL reports that Wayne Overbeck N6NB, operating from Hawaii, worked Gregory Campbell W6IT in California, over the 4024 km path – the first time SSB contacts were made on these bands over this path.
W6IT was operating N6NB’s home station, near Orange, California.
N6NB/KH6 operated from a rental vehicle using gear covering 144 MHz through 10 GHz – antennas included – which he took with him on the plane to Hawaii.
Full details here: http://www.arrl.org/news/new-world-distance-records-set-on-2-3-and-3-4-ghz-ham-bands/06/2015″Records go”

Thanks to everyone who participated…. interesting conditions. Some of the best condx I’ve seen to the south with Grant VK2MAX, but the scatter path to the north well below past 23-on-23 activation events, and no direct path to the north avail.

And a big thank you to Robert VK4LHD and Grant VK2MAX for heading our /P…. truly appreciated. :beer:

As for the format… certainly far more appealing to me than just working BNE stations.

My only suggestion I would have is for those that have the ‘easier’ (read as less terra firma) paths to some of the more distant stations, is that they consider assisting others by sustaining contacts longer so a variety of scatter paths can be checked to see if there are definite alternative peaks available other than the direct paths.

Also not listed where VK4JAM, Vk4NE and VK4MJF.

22/06/2015 “EA works IF”. Great to see VK4IF running on the winter field day thanks to Rob and Colins effort. Peter VK4EA reported on his time on air, as per the logger below:

Quick wrap up of the activity, I selected Moreton Island as it combines a few of my favourite things, camping, radio and good weather. For those outside of SE VK4 Moreton Is is a sand island with minimal infrastructure consisting largely of National Park. There are no formed roads accessible only by boat, 4WD essential. We normally camp on the Western shore of the island which has a good view to the West toward the Brisbane CBD and all of the high points _normally_ utilised by the local microwave fraternity. Unfortunately microwave activity was very light on this time. Our local beacons were found and peaked soon after setting up on the Friday afternoon, although some ropes were needed as always in our part of the world at this time of the year, the westerly winds picked up cooling things down considerably. For note VK3’s, it never got below 6 degrees at night, and warmed up nicely to about 20 degrees with clear skies throughout the weekend.

I went to considerable effort to have all bands, sacrificing a few things, except for beer (and wine for the second operator -XYL, VK4JNC). Doug, VK4OE, kindly lent me a 47GHz transverter.

Activity all during the contest was slow, and I recognise my antenna department was quite compromised so I may not have heard anybody. Having said that I was pleasantly surprised who I could work on low power and small antennas. Best excitement was a small opening on 6m, who would of thought 5W into a mobile whip would work into VK5 and VK3? …. an exceptional moment with very strong signals heard from VK5BC and VK3PP.

A couple of nice 10GHz contacts with Geoff, VK4KJJ/P, located at Clear Mountain confirmed the 10GHz gear was working well.

My contacts to VK4WS/P on 23cm and to VK4IF (Eden’s Landing) on 5.7 and 10GHz made the effort worthwhile.

The best for last, Sunday morning the 24GHz gear gets a workout to Kevin, VK4UH at home, extending our best to 54km. Similar good results with Rex, VK4REX to Howell’s Knob, where sadly the VK4WIS crew had NOT bothered to setup….. Rex and I tried 47GHz next, and while I was able to copy him S9+, I was unable to work out the VK4OE gizmos to TX, not completing the contact.

I’m not sure if I will go to the effort of going to Moreton Island for a contest again, unless I am sure more people will be out and about next time. Not that I was too stressed, wonderful weather ….. VK3’s listening ??
Cheers,
Peter
VK4EA

The page content has also been updated. Read it all carefully. It’s new, and fresh. 🙂

Two Field Day enthusiasts – Lou VK3ALB and Andrew VK3MIX – have developed a useful online application, dubbed “Contest Radar”, where you can post your location and see other stations’ locations. Gotta be better than heading for the hills with little or no idea who’s gonna be out there and where! 8)

3/06/2015 “Odd activity on 23cm” After the last 23 on 23 week end there has been a lot of 23cm traffic all round the state and into NSW. With luck all this new enthusiasm will continue and transfers to the Winter Field Day and beyond.

28/05/2015 “Fees take a plunge” ACMA has jumped in and lowered the licence fees for all renewals, don’t faint its true have a read.

Amateur licence renewals now cost less

A 12-month renewal for an Amateur licence is now $51, according to a new schedule of Apparatus licence fees published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on its website on 7 April.

This is a drop of $24 from the $75 that applied to renewals earlier this year. The last time that licence fee renewals were at $51 was 20 years ago!

26/05/2015 “Meeting nite” Its come again Rob house 27/05/2015. see you there.

23/05/2015 “Great turn out” Mountain tops were populated by many budding 23cm operators around Brisbane, north south and west. It was the first 23 on 23 all on a weekend day in the time this idea was implemented. Toowoomba to Howels Knob Mt Gravatt to Mt Mee as far down to VK2max Kempsey NSW. Great turn out and not just 23cm, 2.4 -10Ghz contacts were also completed.

To add to the flurry of similar announcements of recent times, I am happy to advise that, following a grand team effort today at the beacon site, the recently upgraded VK4RBB beacon was put back on air after about three weeks absence.

This is not a one-frequency beacon – the current output frequencies of 432.440, 1296.440, 2403.440 and 5760.440 MHz are all now GPS locked in frequency and timed. And if we obtain ACMA approval for use of 3400.440 MHz, that capability is also ready to be activated.

[Previously there had also been a 10368.440 MHz beacon signal, but that transmitter has temporarily been decommissioned until an extension of the upgrade project is completed which will see similarly GPS locked outputs on 10368.440 and 24048.440 MHz emanating from a mast-mounted amplifying box. The frequency generation stages needed to achieve these extra frequencies are already in place.]

The reason for having GPS-derived accurate timing is that there are two modulation modes, CW with Morse ident., and JT4. All of this beacon’s outputs alternate between these two modes, changing each GPS-defined minute. This is all under the management of a ZL2BKC ‘Multi-Beacon Controller’ (MBC), and we owe a vote of thanks to Wayne ZL2BKC for all his development of the MBC and his help in getting the digital interface part of the ‘show’ on the road. The functioning of the MBC is impressive!

Other acknowledgements due are to Geoff VK4KJJ, Rex VK4REX, Bob VK4XV, Kevin VK4UH, Jason VK4YOL, Eric VK4NEF and Mick VK4NE. I have also been involved in constructing the original beacon hardware and recently interfacing it with the new beacon controller.

Any reports will be welcomed, and several have already been received today from some listeners near and far. A point related to listening for VK4RBB is that, when it is transmitting its Morse ident and associated carrier, the actual frequency is right on the one nominated for the band in question, within ±1 Hz accuracy. Receiver dials will need to be set accordingly.

The beacon listing on the VK-Logger will soon be brought up to date.

Very best 73,

–Doug Friend, VK4OE.

26/04/2015 “Skin affect is it a myth”

26/04/2015 “Beacons up and running” A morning of mateship and work got all but 10 Ghz beacons (all GPS locked) up and running at the Murarrie site to-day. Thanks go to all that assisted with this task, many others donated time and expertise to the project of such magnitude.

23/04/2015 “Its on again to-nite” Give you 23cm gear a work out to-nite around 8.00pm. Maybe it is the only time to see if your gear works. Hear you there:

22/04/2015″Odd its a meeting” It’s come around again 4th Wednesday Meeting to-nite @ the same place and the same time. Guaranteed to be a lively nite, bring along some show and tell. See you there: 23 on 23 is on this coming Thursday try to be there, will be 2.4Ghz activity as well, see you there:

10/04/2015 “DON”T LOOK FOR BEACONS”Please read beacon update on right for beac

on updates, service should be completed in a few weeks.

5/04/2015 ″So how much did you pay”Latest Sherwood Engineering figures are out. Maybe worth a look. I have thrown a couple away LAST year, nice too see the ones keeper are in the first page. One outstanding listing is the new Flex 6800, also the K3 re jigging, has assisted it to past all others. see more :

3/04/2015 “Gipps Tech 2015” Mid July 2015 see’s Gipps Tech 2015 under way again. With a troop of guys too venturing down to Victoria for this years festivities, for further information get in touch with Kevin VK4UH and I’m sure he will help.

2/04/2015 “Beacons on track” “Up dates to the suite of club beacons are on track for activation in the next few weeks”, said Doug VK4OE at the last club meeting. We all look forward to the latest technology and locked beacons.

31/03/2015″ 5 month wait” Oddly some smalls animals have a gestation time less than the quoted time it takes the WIA and ACMA to process yourapplication for a repeater or beacon. According to a recent quote from VK2zrh Roger, has told the amateur community these startling facts. Await the next instalment.

21/03/2015 “CRO goes ABC” World radio day was held mid February 2015, Ron cro does the hobby justice with an interview by Terri Begley of the ABC. see more here.

1/3/2015 “10.36844 GHz Beacon”Please be patient with our service program to update our beacons, the first being our 10.36844 GHz.

26/02/2015 Show and tell” Meeting last nite was as per normal a very interesting well attended nite new beacons amplifiers and the list goes on. Doug VK4oe had a few relevant videos to fill the end of the nite. Congratulations to all that took VK4IF to air in the Summer Field Day.

25/2/2015 ” Queenslander” A couple of Queenslanders have scooped the Summer Field day. Also the WIA has decided to keep the dual score system running for the time being.

Amateur Radio Bandplans are a voluntary operating code which divides the various amateur bands into segments, in order to minimise interference between often incompatible transmission modes and technologies. As technology progresses, and patterns of usage change, Bandplans need to be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure they meet current needs, and also that, as much as possible, band usage remains internationally harmonised.

Following a lengthy period of public consultation the Bandplan changes are now released as a “Draft for Adoption“. If no serious deficiencies are identified the updated Bandplans will come into effect on the 15th March, 2015. The two metre and 70cm Bandplans are also under review, and are expected to be finalised during the second half of this year. Watch out for newinformation on those Bandplans in the Hot Issues section of this website.

The WIA would like to sincerely thank John Martin VK3KM and the entire Technical Advisory Committee for undertaking the difficult task of reviewing the Bandplans, and finding a workable solution to satisfy the various competing interests.
Phil Wait VK2ASD.

29/01/2015 “Shoot out at VK4zdx’s” Our first 2015 meeting for January went well with a shoot out on 24GHz in Robs dining room, no outright winner was named but the tic tac toe has VK4UH having an advantage. Lots of show and tell items with demo’s on Airscout radar the main topic. It seems our updated paperwork for our beacons was misplaced will being updated. Also with the beacons, the make up of jt4 and cw transmissions will be resolved and ready very shortly.

VK4UH @ 24GHz shootout

Lots of eyes on Kevin’s 6m amp how many KW’s

28/01/2015″ Test and Tune Day” Mid to Late February 2015 is a good time and a Local CBD club, are the main hopes. VK4EA is looking at 22nd and maybe Redcliffe Radio club maybe the venue, nice spot and the people are friendly. Will keep the news up to date on this one.

20/01/2015 “23 on 23″ Keep a diary note” 23 on 23 is a 1296cm contacts about 8.00pm local E S T (yes and the curtains do fade; etc. ) Try out you gear.

17/01/2015 “New 10ghz Record”A bit late but the story was not told till know.

New World Record Claimed on 10 GHz:: Two Amateur Radio microwave enthusiasts in Australia are claiming a new distance record on 10 GHz. On January 5, during a tropo opening across the Great Australian Bight, VK6DZ and VK7MO exchanged reports over a 2732 km path, using JT4f mode as well as SSB. The distance surpasses by 36 km the previous World Record of 2696 km from Southern Portugal to Cape Verde Island.

VK6DZ was portable at Torbay Hill, 24 km west of Albany, Western Australia. He was running 10 W to a 60 cm dish. VK7MO was portable Cape Portland in northeastern Tasmania, running 50 W to a 77 cm dish.

Several other noteworthy 10 GHz contacts were completed the same day. VK6DZ worked VK5KK over a 1920 km path on JT4f mode, and VK5DK over a 2062 km path on SSB. VK5KK was portable at Crafters 10 km southeast of Adelaide, South Australia, running 5 W into a 75 cm dish. VK5DK was portable at Mount Burr, 40 km northwest of Mount Gambier running 5.5 W into a 60 cm dish. All stations were GPS locked. — Thanks to Rex Moncur, VK7MO

12/01/2015 “More VK4IF” Was heard during the Summer field day, what a great location, may figure well in the results with contacts on most bands into lots of new grid squares. Great effort by all members that took part, thanks. We await he results.

10/01/2014 “IF seen on logger”Great stuff VK4IF is on the VHF-UHF Field day thanks to the club members operating from the Beenleigh Station. more later.

08/01/2015 “Results are in “ Spring Vhf-Uhf results are in see em here:

Both Divisions are up on the site, being hours before the next Summer event. A quick look, and it seems VK4OE features well done, good on yu Doug. There is a summary written on the statistics of the last couple with the true reflections of these events being reported. Good read.

01/01/2014″First for the Year”

Summer Field Day VHF-UHF Field Day 2015 – 10/11th January (date confirmed need helpers, location @ a mountain near you, grab your gear and we will hear you there.)

24/12/2014″A Xmas Message from the Boss” Now we’re in the holiday season, on behalf of the Brisbane VHF Group, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your continuing interest and involvement in VHF things around greater Brisbane, and for your support during the year. A happy Christmas time as well, whatever you are doing…..and don’t forget that 6 and 2 metres are usually ‘lively’ with Es propagation around this time!

We at ‘group headquarters’ all hope that your holiday and the coming 2015 year are filled with happiness and success in whatever amateur radio and other ventures you engage in!
Very best 73,
–Doug Friend, VK4OE.

23/12/2014 “23 cm up and kick en” it maybe very close to Xmas but to-nites good roll up to the event was reassuring. A few new faces using what ever power available, one look at the logger would also confirm this. Great to see 1296cm alive and kicken at least in the South East,

20/12/2014″23 on 23 “Tuesday 23rd December 2014, on 23cm (1296.100 mhz )@ 8.00pm EST with a likely hood of 2.4ghz contacts late on that nite @ around 9.00 EST. Look forward to hearing you there.

14/12/2014 ” Seems the Rocks are out” Someone forgot to tell the meteor Scatter that they should be around the last few days. The predicted 2 metre meteor scatter seemed to show up late last week. On Monday was a small opening to VK7 and that seem to be it for the time being.

3/12/2014 “New Contest Manager” VK4zrh Roger Harrison has taken up the post of Vhf-Uhf Field day Contest Manager, Roger seems to be a little more interested, with blogs being posted on the vklogger. Hopefully he will spark a few more VK2’s up; as well as others for the coming Field days. Keep up the good work Roger. Update 5/12/14, It appears there is some glitch in the scoring software used for the contest, lets hope we have a solution by January 2015.

VK4oe Border ranges MAD

28/11/2014″VK4IF SET TO GO” January 2015 Vhf-Uhf Field Day (on the 10/11th January), will be manned and ready for the next field day announced Rob VK4 zdx “we’ll get it going as a team 24 hr site from here” he said “with the help of a few club members; we can do it”. The club call was used earlier in the year, 23 on 23 session, which fell during a meeting nite.

Some of team Vk4IF

27/11/2014″Last Meeting” Last nites meeting was represented well by members from all points of the compass, great to see everyone there. Some brought a few projects and other interesting bits to peer over, great to see.

VK4UH 1296 300 watt amplifier

Some of the crowd

24/11/2014″Poor Field day turn up” After several hours doing the Spring VHF_UHF it became clear that the 8 hours on Saturday we were doing was very short on contacts. Sunday seemed to have a few extra call signs but less most which were on Saturday. No one had taken up the club call sign again. We await the results to see just how many had made the effort to contest. Other than the poor turn out on both days Doug OE/P and John WIE/P both report a very interesting time out in the field. Well we might start early and suggest that there is another chance coming up in the summer version in 2015.

8/11/2014 “Use the Club Call sign”: Spring Field Day VHF-UHF Field Day 2014 – 22nd/23rd November (date confirmed need helpers, location @ a mountain to be advised). This could be a time for someone to fire up VK4IF with a group.

5/11/2014 “Flex gives the big ones a boot” Some months back Dubus gave some interesting satistics on some of the normally used radios, one was the flex SDR suggesting the concept was a little lacking. So if you have a read the latest Sherwood Engineering stats, it appears the new Flex 6700 has just topped the charts.

4/11/2014″A Good read on the lunar 4″ An interesting item was pasted to the club site from the San Bernadino Microwave Society’s (SBMS) newsletter, pages 5-6 on the chinese moon transmission of WSJT65 2 metre effort.

2/11/2014″ GOOD RESULTS” A very good turn out of Hams made it to hills and some from home, several reported quiet a few contacts from the north coast to the NSW boarder of 5.9+es. Some had to abandon the day for some gear failure or just very windy weather, but no matter the issue most reported a successful day. VK4ne, & mjf reported from Mt gravatt all bands worked well but forgot a small radio to lias which would have assisted more contacts they had the KX3 running all transverters on 2 metres IF, with Kevins CW protocal running from the quick memories option. VK4OE/P wrote I’m sorry that I didn’t ever hear every-onel on 1296.150 I was there quiet a bit.
I had technical problems on 2.4 GHz, so that band was a ‘write-off’ and Robert ‘4LHD had technical problems on a couple of other bands. He (with Geoff ‘KJJ) and I had an interesting experience on 10.3 GHz when we established weak communication using a reflection off something (without knowing it!) and it was only after that the Howells Knob team discovered that signals were hugely stronger when we aligned our antennas on the direct path!

Start time of 10am so all WIA news and broadcasts are finished and repeaters are freed up.

10:00 to 10:30 23cm10:30 to 11:00 2.4Ghz11:00 to 11:30 3.4Ghz11:30 to 12:00 5.7Ghz12:00 to 12:30 10Ghz12:30 to 1:00 24Ghz and above.1:00 onwards for digital modes.

20/10/2014 “VK3HZ boasts IC9100 fix” According to to-days logger VK3HZ has a 10 mhz reference fix for the IC9100, We will keep you updated on all information. (It is advised that he has other reference locking systems for many other popular radios.) Furher Updated 20/10/2014 David has produced the boards and they are up and ready for sale, at the Link below.

19/10/2014″ No new hill” With the club meeting this Wednesday nite and VHF/UHF Field day is onNovember 22/23rd 2014.

29/09/2014 “Kenny needs mod” VK4NE (Mick) has been busy making the VK4UH magic box for the Activity day (MAD/BT) on the 2nd November 2014. A few mods were done to adapt the box to the Kenwood TS2000, but Mick reports his ready to go.

mods for the TS2000

a see through one sexy

23/09/2014 “23 on 23 Roll up”Another successful 23 cm hook up around south east queensland this evening. Lots of contacts on SSB and JT65C.

During this tour some 25 grid locators were activated on 24 GHz EME with
JT4f (from Melbourne up to Tennant Creek via South Australia and return
through outback QLD and NSW) of which 21 resulted in QSO’s with one or
more stations. This is the first 24 GHz EME portable operation anywhere
in the World. Detailed reports are listed at the following URL.http://www.vk3hz.net/microwave/VK7MO-24G.htm
As part of this work we recorded what we call Total Extra Losses. These
are the total of atmospheric losses, libration spreading losses and
degradation with a correction for antenna gain. It was found that we
could work with Total Extra losses of up to 13 or 14 dB with the VK7MO
portable station (1.14 meter dish and 20 watts). During these tests
these losses varied over the following ranges:

As can be seen if all losses were at the limit at same time the Total
Extra loss would reach over 16 dB and a QSO would not have been possible
with the portable station. Fortunately, most of the time one or other
loss was not at the limit and thus QSO’s were generally possible, even
with spreading approaching 400 Hz.

8 grid locators were activated over extreme distances on 10 GHz
terrestrial via aircraft scatter using ISCAT-B with 7 being successful.
This brings Dave VK3HZ’s 10 GHz total to 81 locators. In addition a QSO
was completed between VK3 and VK4 over a 903 km aircraft scatter path.
Detailed reports are at the following URL.

Thanks to Dave VK3HZ for processing all these reports and making them
available on his web site.

17/9/2014 “VK3HZ boasts IC9100 fix” According to to-days logger VK3HZ has a 10 mhz reference fix for the IC9100, awaiting boards(no mention of pricing as yet). We will keep you updated on all information. (It is advised that he has other reference locking systems for many other popular radios.) Updated 18/09/2014David has produced the installation documentation at the Link below.

2.2 Standard Licence: The Standard licence’s permitted bands are quite restricted when viewed in the context of like or similar intermediate level licence’s in other countries, as evidenced in Tab B. The WIA wishes to discuss the possibility of increasing the number of permitted bands for Standard licensees between 1.8MHz and 28MHz, and particularly access to 50-52 MHz.

(i) The WIA notes that the Australian Standard licence’s progenitor in the UK has considerably more band access across the spectrum, which has not occasioned notable complaints or issues. Likewise, Argentina, Canada, Japan, the UK and the USA also provide wide access to bands across the spectrum.

2.3 The WIA seeks access to the 5 MHz (60m) band for Australian amateurs, subject to the outcome of WRC-15. It would be advantageous if such an allocation were aligned, at least in part, if not entirely, with other 5 MHz allocations across the Asia-Pacific region within Region 3

2.4 Continued access to 50-52 MHz, preferably on a primary basis, in line with previous WIA representations.

2.5 Consideration of Amateur access to a band at 70 MHz (4m), preferably congruent with, or overlapping, allocations in other countries (eg. Region 1).

2.6 Consideration of Amateur access to a band at, or within, 918-926 MHz (33cm), preferably congruent with, or overlapping, allocations in other countries (eg. Region 2).

2.7 Retention of access at 2300 MHz (2300-2300.15 MHz), as per the WIA’s submission to the 2.3 GHz band review in 2013.

2.8 Retention of access in the 3300-3600 MHz band. The WIA is developing a submission to the ACMA’s review of the 3.5 GHz band.

On 1 September 2014, the WIA lodged its submission to the review into the Australian spectrum policy and management framework. The Department states the review is necessary to “modernise spectrum policy to reflect changes in technology, markets and consumer preferences that have occurred over the last decade and to better deal with increasing demand for spectrum from all sectors”.

The WIA submission highlights the public-benefit aspects of the amateur service and identifies key areas where amateur radio can provide further substantial community value. Additionally, the WIA submission argues for a clear delineation between policy development and policy implementation, strong community input into future spectrum policy development, and increased resources for the ACMA in relation to interference management and enforcement.

29/08/2014″ New Record Boast” Keep an eye on the VK Logger a little birdy has suggested a new record could be posted in VK on the higher bands in the very near future.

28/08/2014 “Great Meeting” Here we are August and at this months meeting was a real show and tell event, thanks to everyone, VK4CRO bought along a 70cm amplifier deck which is rated @200-300 watts, Geof (VK4kJJ’s) nice GPS locking system, Doug(VK4OE) had a feed for 46ghz which appeared to be an engineering challenge to say the least. Doug also spoke dueing the normal buisness on a subject about the GPS locking of the club beacons and Kevin (Vk4UH) asked if the club was going to take up the offer from the WIA for a small grant given out, only to find himself being the negotiator for this project (Thanks Kevin).

Kevin(VK4UH) gave a very imformative talk on dish alinement for dishes larger and small whilst out in the field. Also added a small project to built offering the use of most radios CW abilities, to transmit DITs and DARs for confirming contact, possibly making contact liaison on other means unnecessary. I m sure we will here more about this in the very near future.

Another Activity day (MAD/BT) has been scheduled for the 19th October 2014, on all bands 2 metres and above. So we will be out hill top climbing, testing our new UH boxes, see you all then. I will ask Kevin to write a small note on the building of the box and the protocol used.

Quite a lively meeting

VK4uh and his wonder box

18/08/2014 “KX3 Software Lifts the benchmark” Elecraft have finally released the KX3 2 metre module also with its release, a new software update to offer the transverter offset as being one item in the updates package. This has been a useful tool in the K3 for some years with ability to add transverters either using 28-50 mhz, or 2 metre IF. Great to see this as this allows the KX3 to operate with a 2 metre and 28-50mhz IF and with its superior receiving ability makes it a must have radio. VK4mjf reports the KX3 has confirmed these abilities after testing the new software, and in his words ” great to see, this will make a great improvement to the operation of my transverters and along with KX3 easy adjustable 0-10 watts output power and visible frequency readout makes the KX3 HF-SHF portable rig”.

12/08/2014 “BBS PASSES” Another silent key. VK4BBS well known by all. Hi Guys just received a phone call from Steven Beamish to inform me that Brian Passed away last Thursday and that his funeral will be held on this Thursday 14/8/2014 at 2 Pm @ Sunnybank District Buptist Church in NEMIES RD RUNCORN he will be surely missed. Our Condolences to Maureen and family.

not another award Brian

11/08/2014 “JT65c won the day” Thanks to all that had a go, seems 10ghz to 1296mhz is alive and well. Completed contacts all over the logger with JT65 digita modes, its heartening to see these bands up and running VK4 UH KJJ CZ ADC LHD EDD just to name some.

VK4CZ boosted his contact 2.4ghz with VK4LHD

6/08/2014 “Digital Read” Have a read of this article may help for the 10th MADD

At the URL below is a report on a 10 GHz aircraft scatter QSO from VK3HZ to VK7MO over 905 km between VK3 and VK4.
http://www.vk3hz.net/microwave/Extreme-Grid-QG21.pdf

4/08/2014 “Interesting observation” Our roving reporter as been watching the activity on digital modes. So far, there has been more activity or interest shown over the last few weeks on these modes than ever before, maybe as winter means less longer distant contacts on SSB etc. This must mean it is the winter sports eqiverlent of the hobby.

26/07/2014 “Division II Results”

25/07/2014 “_… …_ …. .._. __.” We had a good roll up for the club digital mode session. More computers and radios on Rob’s (VK4ZDX) bench; than sandwiches. All had a learning time and some of the mysteries and myths were ironed out. Thanks to Col (VK4MIL) and Geof (VK4KJJ). It looks more like a class room with all the laptops, anyway the meeting ran late and thanks to all.

23/07/2014 “Icom Offer D-Star” Icom Australia are offering assistance to some clubs to get D Star up and running will post more as it arrives.

22/07/2014 “Divison II results” Doug VK4OEholds placing on division II results. Div 2 results posted! The Winter Field Day results for Division 2 have been completed & forwarded to the WIA, the winners, plus 2nd & 3rd places in each section are as follows Single Operator 24hrs 1st VK5TE 24361 pts 2nd VK5KBJ 20899 pts & 3rd VK4OE 14936 pts Single Operator 8hrs 1st VK5NE 33737pts 2nd VK5TE 18191 pts & 3rd VK5KBJ 15036 pts Multi-Operators 24hrs 1St VK5LZ 117213 pts 2nd VK5KQ 83740 pts & 3rd VK3ALB 59680 pts Multi-operators 8hrs 1st VK3KQ 36523 pts 2nd VK3ALB 28886 pts & 3rd VK4WIS 18266 pts Home Station 24hrs 1st VK3MY 37654 pts 2nd VK5DK 19736 pts & 3rd VK3QI 16300 pts Rover Station 24hrs 1st VK5KK 49461 pts 2nd VK5ZT 32445 pts & 3rd VK3QM 11096 pts Top “F” Call Station VK5FSKS 9520 pts. Was in the 8hr Single Operator section. 73 Colin VK5DK 22/07/2014 “Meeting will be big nite”Activity Day (MADD) on 10th August 2014 to be a Digital mode theme all VHF and higher bands will be in use;Don’t forget August 10th 2014 . Also on the 23rd July @ Club meeting @ Robs VK4ZDX’s Place (see info on web page for address etc.) There will be a talk on the ins & outs of the mode, with live demo’s on 2.4ghz. 23 on 23 is also on that nite, will have a set up for this as well, should be a big nite. See U There. Or see more in the news/activity day.

21/07/2014 ” WIA lost the results.” Or are the staff themselves been forgetful, the recent Field day results were published for Div I. Of course thoses Div II results were not listed. These results had to be sent to a different manager (for what reason is not clear, although written in the rules,) were not passed on to the DIV II MANAGER, until they were requested). Now being that, the Div II results will be delayed. So those who are interested in comparing the results a small delay at no fault of the Division II manager. It is also noted that the contest manager has retired, thanks to John Martin for his efforts. As yet no new replacement Manager has been appointed, lets hope the new manager has our HOBBY in mind , which we would all like to see happen.

15/07/2014 “Sad DAY VK4ZAA” His last words at his funeral today. Francis John, ‘Mick’, was seen off on his final QSY today by the following VK4s… CV, OE, ZP, ZQ, ACG, ADC, APG, KLC, ZWJ, with about 25 others in attendance. We heard about his life, his interests and his involvement in amateur radio since the mid-1950s. There were some good tales with laughs thrown in, all too reminiscent of Mick’s style of humor. VK4ZAA (SK)… 14/07/2014 “Good Numbers” By all reports Gippstech was well supported and all went well. Gippstech said one guy, just keeps getting better. Once again, a good range of topics and speakers kept us all interested. Attendance numbers seem to be rising around 120 odd also there were quite a few new faces about the place this year. Congratulations to Peter and his team for a job well done – again

9/07/2014 “SOTA Microwave Award”The long planned SOTA Microwave Award, in conjunction with the UK Microwave Group, is now active (effective 1 July 2014). The database will require modification to score for these awards so currently it is not possible to enter details of any activations or chases but, hopefully, this will be up and running shortly. This award will be based on DISTANCE not the summit point score so is a deviation from the current SOTA practice and it will be necessary to record the locator of the station that is not on a SOTA summit (the SOTA summit locators are known so are not a required data entry). Although the award is a joint venture with the UK Microwave Group it is not limited to UK stations and is equally applicable worldwide. This is also not a replacement for any of the UK Microwave Group awards but is intended to get people out and about operating portable on the higher bands and recognises shorter qualifying distances than is current practice for the UK Microwave Group. Briefly, the rules are as follows (any lack of clarity is my fault and I would appreciate any observations where the rules need to be tidied up): SOTA/UKuG Joint Microwave Award 1) The award will be based on contacts on any amateur microwave band between 23cm and 24GHz 2) The Award will be based on distance. It will start at a basic level of 50Km. Endorsements will be available in 50Km steps. 3) Endorsements may be claimed for activity on each band. 4) An Activator may claim this award based on ACTIVATING the hill. Normal QUALIFYING criteria will apply for claiming this hill for other SOTA awards. 5) For the purposes of this award the Activator may activate the hill as frequently as wished over a year but may only claim it once per calendar day. 6) Chaser rules will apply as normal for the usual SOTA awards but Chasers may also claim for the microwave distance award. One station MUST be on a SOTA summit. 7) There will be a special category of the Summit to Summit Award, where both ends are on qualifying SOTA summits, but will be based on the distance between them, not just the fact they were on SOTA summits (such contacts can also be included in the regular S2S award). 8) The award will be jointly awarded by SOTA and UK Microwave Group. It will be administered by SOTA with oversight from UkuG. The definitions of Qualifying and Activating are as per the General Rules. Hopefully we will see folks out and about, but please bear with me before claiming awards as these still need to be designed and jointly approved by the MT and the UK Microwave Group committee. Barry GM4TOE SOTA Awards Manager http://sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=9634 Summits on the Air (SOTA) is an award scheme for radio amateurs and shortwave listeners that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas. It was an original concept by John, G3WGV and developed with Ric, G3CWI. SOTA has been carefully designed to make participation possible for everyone – this is not just for mountaineers! There are awards for activators (those who ascend to the summits) and chasers (who either operate from home, a local hilltop or are even Activators on other summits). SOTA is now fully operational in many countries across the world, including here in Australia (Victoria VK3, ACT VK1, & South Australia VK5).

9/07/2014 “Good Friend Silent Key” An old member of our club has past, VK4ZAA Mick Pettiford a loved and well liked member, very active within the club and amateur ranks alike.An item taken from 2009 issue of The Queensland VHF’ er : Mick was the first limited licensee in Queensland, obtaining his ‘ticket’ in the middle of 1954 when limited calls first became possible in Australia. His first QSO was with John Ross, VK4JO at Clayfield in Brisbane on 144 MHz AM. John’s next door neighbour was John Pickles, VK4FP who, with Alan Simpson VK4ZAE as navigator, often used to win the hidden transmitter hunts described later. Two next door neighbours on two metres made for some interesting times! Other amateurs remembered as being active on 144 MHz in Brisbane at this time were Don Crowley VK4GP, Lionel VK4ZAS, Aussie VK4TN, Les VK4LM, Jim VK4OB, Noel VK4BT, Doc VK4MO. He will be surely missed by all who new him, and our deepest sympathies and thoughts are offered to Micks Family. Comments from VK4OE (Doug) I will also be one who misses Mick. I (and many others) knew him personally from VHF Group meetings in the 1980s and 1990s, and for many years he would be reliably appear (from his home) on 144 MHz during field contests to give out a few numbers. I would stop contesting for a few minutes just to ‘catch up’ with Mick. As others have already said, he was a true gentleman and loyal radio amateur. He will surely be missed! Very best wishes, –Doug. Comments made by VK4ADC (Doug) on the logger. It is with great regret that I have been informed that Mick VK4ZAA has passed away today. Its been a bad week for the amateur radio fraternity. Many of the 6 meter guys will remember Mick. He was issued the first Z call in VK4 and was a keen 6 meter operator for nearly half a century. Our deepest sympathies go to Micks family. RIP Mick wayne VK4WTN

5/07/2014 “Gippstech Shut”Registrations close on Friday July 4. This is set so that we can finalise arrangements with those providing catering, especially Saturday’s Lunch and Conference Dinner. We may be able to accept some late registrations, but you will have to provide for yourselves for meals. So if you have not done so as yet and you intend coming to the event, please Register NOW. The program is still being finalised, but here is what we have confirmed to date:Intro + WIA Award presentations, VK3PF + VK2ZRH A cheap 250 W PEP amplifier for 70 cm, Ralph Edgar VK3WRE Reflections, Echos, Doppler, Libration and Scintillation, Doug McArthur VK3UM Extending the 78 GHz VK Distance Record, Alan Devlin VK3XPD David Smith VK3HZ 10 GHz Propagation: Rain-scatter, Tropo-scatter, Ducting and Aircraft-scatter, Rex Moncur VK7MO & Rhett Donnan VK3GHZ Proposal to implement GPS Locking of VK Beacons, Alan Devlin VK3XPD Life after XP? .. utter despair and frustration .. traps and dead ends!, Doug McArthur VK3UM Key challenges for Australian amateur radio – ACMA remaking the LCD and the Government’s review of spectrum management, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH Homebrewing an az-el mount for a 3 m dish, Dean Webster VK3NFI Regards, Peter VK3PF

4/07/2014 ” A few more increases” Good morning all ACMA have advised that the Amateur Radio Licence fee has been increased to $74.00. The fee increase is indexed. And rises by about $1 every year or so. Variation to licence fee remains at $49.00. 1/07/2014 “Gippstech” Gipps Tech July 12th & 13th 2014 also Social Dinner at the Morwell Hotel/Motel (the Top Pub) from 1830.

27/06/2014 “Inland Troppo goes mad” Inland Troppo has been with us for the past few days with contacts on wspr being logged from Brisbane with FNQ. Northern NSW (VK2) and Mid SA (VK5), also many logged between VK5 VK3 and VK2 (south and North).

25/6/2014 “Club Meeting” Lots of chest ponding on Field Day achievements, with enforces on 24 GHZ between Vk4EA & VK4OE (182 klms about),well done to all that did the weekend. Very lively meeting and lots of gear to drull over for the not so knowledgable, great turn up. Would like to turn the eyes to the last gossip dateon Beacons below.

sorry about quality

A new activity Day for the 10th August to be confirmed (with the theme of digital modes and getting out and about).

8/06/2014 “Rebate for beacon” found this on the Yahoo groups. Gidday all, this Promotional Posting is to advise you all that Alan – VK3XPD and the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) have joined in a collaborative financial arrangement to implement GPS Locking into the VK Beacon network. So, are you a Beacon Owner ? Would you like to improve Amateur Radio and receive $200 for your efforts ? Full details of this Proposal including the “Elgibility Criteria” can be found on my very basic Website at… rfresale.com Details will also be Posted on the WIA Website – “in due course”. The Proposal will also be publicised in July’s AR, the WIA Broadcasts and at GIPPSTECH. I look forward to seeing how many Beacons we can get updated to full GPS Locking before the next Propagation season starts !!! Go to it !!! Cheers, Alan – VK3XPD.

5/06/2014 “Winter Field Day” 21-22nd June 2014. Don t forget its on new rules; also the Old (vk4if) could fire up, which would be good to hear. (Any takers)

4/06/2014 “Moon Bounce” Some years ago, a couple of blokes walked on the moon, So over the last few days CRO MIL NE MJF have been throwing a few signals into their foot prints trying EME out, been lots of fun so far for all.

2/06/2014 “New OS8 coming” All you Mac owners will be interested in the new operating system for the mac family (Due in the US Fall).

27/05/2014 “Hoot of a meeting” Doug has promised us a mystery subject at this months meeting. There s 8 of us will be there, will you?.

26/05/2014 (New Ipad) Will be due on the shop floors for sale, in the next few weeks HD (High Definition.)

23/05/2014 “See very interesting pages” Gary VK4AR sent in the Publications section of the web page

22/05/2014 ” history (1)” Hello Guys, I found the attached news item regarding the Bne VHF Group in one of the AR magazines I picked up on Saturday. It is interesting because you will recognise the odd character, however, I will run through what I can recall & others might be able to fill in the blanks. 4ZPL is Peter Lindsay – the former Federal member for Herbert, Townsville. 4ZRM Roy O’Malley now 4ZQ 4ZAA Mick was at the BArcfest – he is very old and frail now. 4ZAL Tommy Lane – deceased 4ZRH – Royce Hazlett, Tarragindi ? 4ZDF Dave Hopkins 4ZCS 4ZAE Alan Simpson now 4AAE – in his 80s – I will try to talk to him. 4ZBL Laurie Blackborough, Toowoomba – Dec’d 4ZBD Bill Donovan – Dec’d 4ZZG Graham – Dec’d As I mentioned, I was president for a couple of years in the 1990s. I am sure it would all be in the minutes – ask Paul!!! I think Doug took over from me. In that period membership soared to over 50 both local and interstate. Cheers Gary.

14/05/2014 “Winter is almost here”Winter is coming and so is the VHF-UHF Field day 21st-22nd June 2014. New rules have been integrated for those how asked for them. Know is the time to GET ON BOARD. Whats you excuse, too old, too hard or just too lazy. What ever it is the hoddy is still there and there are still , some people on trying to get those contacts on the higher frequencies, find a hill and spend a bit giving your gear a test. Maybe there is a group who could even fire up VK4IF have a yarn at the next meeting put something together.

2/05/2014 “VHF/UHF WIA ?” All of these are shortened for some other long words. The mysteries of our language. WIA has new rules for the VHF/UHF Field day. These are Distance baseand Grid square scoring, very easy to find either in this months AR Magazine or the WIA web site. This months issue or the VHF er is up good reading. One interesting comment on this month VHF er, $10.00 is still the club membership fee ? B A R C Fest

10th May 2014. See you there? Venue is:- Corner Beaudesert Road and Kameruka Street Calamvale. John Moyle results are out see who got prizes for their efforts. VK4 OE KLC ADC WIE WIS GHZ GYM all featured well with prizes going to all Look here for full results http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/johnmoyle/documents/JMFDC%20Results%202014.pdf Sunday 26th 2.4 & 3.4 ghz shoot out . On arrival at the Murrembong Scout Campsite at around 9.00am, nice area. I was greeted by Peter (VK4EA) and Geof (VK4KJJ) just setting up for the day. After an hour many more competitors had arrived including VK4OE, CZ and son, UH, LHD and later VK4UE . Lets say it was rigged or maybe stacked from the start, we all had our gear set to 2403.050 and 2403.150 with most of us hearing the as required signal, very well.Then it all went haywire as the signal power was lowered all that had not purchased a Khune transverter were eliminated leaving Kevin(VK4UH) and Rbert(VK4LHD) to fight it out with the prize going to Robert. By this time all us other competiters left, were trying to hid our woes with comments, ” a good pre amp would do better” and so on. (so I guess MiniKits will be righting extra profits this month.) 3.4 ghz was much the same with the competitors having a very close battle and it was to hard to get the winner here. As a competitor with sore wounds, I must say the day was a great success, with the winner being thoughts who made the day. Of course thanks go out to Peter(VK4EA) for the time spent on the successful day.

some of the competitors

April Meeting @ OE’s place was great as per normal, Doug set up the IC9100 (no drift) for the 23 0n 23 net, also activating VK4IF (20 odd years since last activated) which ment we all had our earful concidering 4-5 normal operators were listening at the meeting. A 80-90 klms contact to VK4REX to KLC was made and heard. Good night was had by all, see yah @ the next meeting.

23 0n 23 by the Boss

Robs away so we are off to Dougs place, for this months meeting 35 Cronin Street, Annerley. see you there. “Is This You” Well if it is, we need you, as a club member, a contact on field days or just someone to talk to. HAPPY EASTER to all. The feeling is that the amount of activity heard around the state, or OZ about the

(PR4AmateurRadio)

there seems not much happened with this idea. Have a look hear if interested. http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2014/20140416-2/index.php

The Wireless Institute of Australia congratulates those clubs and organisations
able to register a demonstration station for the Expo to showcase the benefits
of modern Amateur Radio.
It occurs either on Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 11-13, in parks, other
public places and electronic stores. All radio amateurs are invited to join
"CQ Expo" on air.
Registrations are by Adelaide Hills ARC, Eastern and Mountain District Club,
The RadioActives, Summerland ARC, Townsville ARC, Bundaberg ARC, Ipswich
District Radio Club, Yarra Valley ARC, and Shepparton and District ARC.
WIA Directors Fred Swainston VK3DAC, Robert Broomhead VK3DN who will hold
a display at a popular car-boot sale, and others, are to actively take part.
Please tell everyone if they hear "CQ Expo" to listen and learn, or join
in by inviting those on the microphone, most likely for the first time, to
experience Amateur Radio and consider it.

“VHF er is up and running” This months meeting our guest speaker, being Doug VK4OE gave us a gripping talk on circulators and isolators. The technical talk on this subject was very imformative to all and the many standard calls in attendance . Also have a peak in the about the club drop down menu it maybe of interest to some.GM Gents! Geoff, VK4KJJ, has advised me: Doug VK4OE My only news is my 10 GHz contact from Kamarun lookout to Howells Knob (158 km) during the field day. Not bad for 15 mW. I reckon that’s worth inclusion on the ‘gossip’ page of the Group website! I did think that our (vk4wie’s) to Howells Knob (110km) and Geoff VK4KJJ at O’riellys was also a good 10 ghz contact 250mw about (50-60 kms), till Dougs braggGippsTech 2014 coming soon: July 12th & 13th 2014 Good morning everyone

GippsTech 2014Sat 12th July and Sunday 13th July.

As you may know, for the last few years I have arranged a party from VK4 to attend the “GippsTech” radio meeting held in Churchill, Victoria each July. GippsTech is a “premier” 2-day amateur conference concerned with all matters VHF/UHF and microwave. The group have shared the costs of rooms and vehicle hire etc from Melbourne. The dates of the conference have been confirmed now for Sat 12th July and Sunday 13th July 2014 . If there is sufficient interest I intend to run another trip in July this year using a vehicle suitable for the numbers attending with the party. Last year we hired an 11 seater bus and had 9 attending which proved very cost effective and comfortable with a bit of room to move. The reason to start making arrangements 3 months in advance is to allow those who want to attend to make a space in their diaries and use the opportunity to access cheap flight offers. The provisional plan is to fly down to Melbourne on the Friday morning 11th July to arrive around midday (there are a number of possible flights and cheap fares are still available as below), we will have arranged the hire of a suitable vehicle depending on the number attending and we will drive across to Morwell in Gippsland. This takes about 2-3 hours or so with stops. We have a tried and tested motel in Morwell (The Coal Valley Motel) to recommend which is clean, warm and reasonably priced (also does great breakfasts) where we have stayed on several occasions. If you “buddy up” and share a room the costs are divided of course. There is always an informal gathering on the Friday night at a local pub in Morwell for dinner and a chance to meet with others from all around VK and ZL. After breakfast on the Saturday morning we will drive across to the university campus in Churchill where the conference is held (about 20 mins journey by road). The conference has all the AV facilities of the university at its disposal and will include a full programme of lectures, presentations and demonstrations. Lunch and refreshments can be pre booked when you register on-line. This is very reasonably priced and is recommended because the University itself is closed at this time and no other catering facilities are on hand. There are usually displays set up and equipment to buy (or be given) during the coffee and meal breaks. There is a Conference Dinner held on the Saturday night which most delegates will attend. This is optional but again is highly recommended, usually a great night! The Sunday session finishes at around midday with raffles and prizes etc. (Lunch is again available but usually we head off back to Melbourne to fly home getting some lunch on the way) We normally book flights leaving at around 6pm (18:00) which has us back in Brisbane at a reasonable 8:15 pm (20:15) in the evening.

If you want to make early flight booking to take advantage of points or special deals then we need to fly down to:- Melbourne on the Friday 11th July 2014:- BRISBANE – Melbourne (Tullamarine) on FRIDAY 11th July 2014 to ARRIVE around midday (no later as we need to get on the road). Flight numbers to look at include:- QANTAS QF613 QF615, Virgin VA318 VA314, Jetstar JQ561 (these are all direct flights) – Please check flight details yourself before booking Return on Sunday evening:- Melbourne – BRISBANE on Sunday 13th July 2014 LEAVING around 18:00 / 6:00pm (but no earlier) Flight numbers to look at include:- QANTAS QF632, Virgin VA347, Jetstar JQ568 – Please check flight details yourself before booking ============================================================================================================================================================= So the invitation is open. If you are interested in joining in this year then please drop me an e-mail, whether definite or provisional. Placed are limited to a maximum of about 9 No money is required at this early stage I have never know anyone attend these meeting without gaining something – ask the guys from last year! Look at vk3bez@vk3bez.org and click on GippsTech. I’ll be sending our more info closer to the time Regards to all and 73 Dr Kev VK4UH drkevinjohnston@bigpond.com 2.4ghz test & shoot out day is advised will be

> VK4OE in QG62ML on 24808.1000 SSB 57 > QG62KP @ 24.0km 138° home to home on 24 GHz

Doug added a brief note on 18/03/2014 It’s fun to see it copied there, but the frequency was 24048.100 MHz – which needs to be corrected! I also think that it’s worth making the additional observation that this was an obstructed path, not LOS. The fact that it was ‘balcony to balcony’, so to speak, seems remarkable. Whether it is reflection or scatter off something, or possibly knife-edge diffraction around something, we’ll probably never know, but there is this obstructed path between us that works on 1296 and 2403 MHz, which we now know also works on 24 GHz. For the record, Kevin was running a 30 mW transverter, and I was transmitting about half a watt. John Moyle :

Sat 16 /3/2014. Great to see lots of members using all the bands Saturday and a few more on Sunday. Thanks to all that assisted.

Also on 6
VK4RTT 50.285mhz- Location QG53TC Bunya Mtns – Status: operational. New Beacon hardware is under on-air testing from 1.12.16 - frequency is GPS locked and modulation alternates between CW (OOK) and JT65 encoding. Watch these pages or the VK-Logger for confirmation of test completion.

VK4RTT Beacons, both Frequencies will be (100 watts) GPS locked-derived accurate timing is that there are two modulation modes, CW with Morse ident., and JT4. All of this beacon's outputs alternate between these two modes, changing each GPS-defined minute. Please assist us with your patience as we update current beacons and add new beacons as well.

Donations required to keep us running beacons and licences. We thank you for helping

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